Elain Morales

A few verses and explosive horn riffs from his accompanying band prove Elain Morales packed every ounce of his swing when he made his way to the States from Cuba more than five years ago. Despite his lack of mainstream recognition and exposure, the Cuban singer is one of the foremost exponents of timba, the popular Cuban music genre that blends the rhythms and textures of rumba, funk, jazz, and rap. Morales's vocal phrasing hovers over the music's up-tempo beats with the ease of a seasoned sonero, and his lyrics inject the songs with witty metaphors that speak to a certain modern urban reality. His virtuosity especially rings true in a spirited rendition of the classic Los Van Van composition, "Sandugera," in which Morales's voice elevates over the percussion and timbales with eye-opening potency. After putting the final touches on his much-anticipated American debut album, Morales will set off for a mini-tour that will take him to Latin America. This man may not be a local timbalero for much longer, and Miami audiences might want to check him out in the quaint confines of Café Nostalgia while they still can.